Laikenbuie Ecology Trust

Hazard

Risk to trustees, volunteers, public

Risk level H/M/L

Existing controls. Further actions in bold.

Remaining risk level

Slips, trips, falls.

Sprains, strains.

M

Avoid rough ground. Boots advised for work parties. First aid kit available. Improve paths

L

Manual handling.

Sprains, strains.

M

Demonstrate good practice. Use barrow, trailer etc where possible.

M

Use of hand tools … garden implements, saws, loppers etc.

Injury, accident.

M

Demonstrate use where necessary. Show safe carrying. Use of gloves, PPE where appropriate.
First aid kit available.

L

Use of chainsaw, power tools, tractor, mower, other machinery.

Injury, accident.

H

Only trained/competent operators with PPE. In general use when volunteers absent. Signage when close to paths.

M

Vehicle usage.

Collision.

L

Limited access by vehicles onto site. Awareness of public use of tracks.

L

Weather.

Sunburn, dehydration, cold & wet leading to hypothermia.

L

Advice re clothing, suncream, fluid intake. Area not remote.

L

Children present.

Enhanced risk of injury, accident. Safeguarding.

M

Parents/guardians to be present, responsible for their children at all times and made aware of responsibilities. Safeguarding training.

M

Ticks & insects.

Lyme disease. Bites & stings. Anaphylactic shock.

M

Advise re clothing and risk of tick bites, signs of lyme disease. Awareness of allergic reactions.

M

Fires.

Fire spreading through woodland or vegetation.

M

No burning in high wind nor when very dry. Fire must be supervised by responsible person. Check extinguished on leaving.

L

Medical issues.

Falling ill through allergic

M

Awareness. Advise volunteers to declare known health issues.

L

reactions, epilepsy, diabetes etc.

known issues and where medication etc kept. First aid kit.

Soil/water borne diseases. Sanitation. Poor hygiene.

Infection via cuts Weil’s, tetanus etc. Stomach upsets.

M

Recommend using gloves and washing hands/using sanitiser before eating. Advise all re tetanus.

L

Contact with irritable or poisonous plants, fungi.

Allergic reactions, asthma. Stings. Poisoning.

M

Stress hygiene. First aid kit available. As above re personal medication. Do not eat unknown plants.

L

Tree felling.

Injury, accident.

H

Instruction given. Small trees only with hand tools (under 15cm dbh). Chainsaw use only by certified operators for larger trees. Contractor & signage where necessary.

M

Horses, cattle, sheep.

Aggressive reactions leading to injury.

M

Do not keep animals known to be aggressive on site.

Signage especially re keeping dogs away from animals. All advised to behave with consideration.

L

Electric stock fencing.

Shock.

M

Live fencing kept back from paths. Disconnect when volunteers working nearby. Signage where public walk.

L

The lake.

Anyone … falling in, hypothermia, drowning.

H

The lake is deep in places, keep away from the banks. Life buoy kept on north east corner.

L

Tree hazards.

Falling trees, deadwood.

H

Inspections annually alongside main paths, gathering places. Removal of hazardous trees, branchwood. Avoid woodland work in high winds. Signage when felling.

L

Bracken

Carcinogenic spores; ticks

H

Check and avoid clearance in late summer when possible sporing; see above re ticks.